Children Health Options in Alberta

Children’s smiles require a special approach, and the Spruce Ridge Dental team is prepared to care for the youngest patients with our services in pediatric dentistry. With a friendly, caring staff and preventive treatments focused on keeping kids’ smiles healthy, we can help keep your child’s teeth strong for a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.

When to Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Children should visit the dentist no later than their first birthday, or about six months after their first tooth erupts. Teeth of all sizes can experience decay, and babies are vulnerable to a condition known as baby bottle tooth decay. Your child’s dentist can talk to you about how to properly clean your child’s teeth and gums.

In addition to ensuring your child’s smile is healthy, this initial visit is important because it familiarizes your little one with the sights, smells, and sounds of the dental office.

Why Visit a Pediatric Dentist

Many adults experience fear related to the dentist due to a past traumatic experience, often something that occurred in childhood. Pediatric dentists have the special knowledge and experience necessary for treating the youngest patients. It requires a special approach and considerations in the unique anatomy of a child’s teeth, jaw bone, and all oral structures. Pediatric dentists are also concerned with making sure your child has a comfortable, positive experience while in the dental chair -- something that helps him realize there’s nothing to fear or dread in visiting the dentist.

Preventive Services for Children

In addition to the regular six month checkup and cleaning, your pediatric dentist can provide special preventive treatments to help shield your child’s teeth from decay and infection, too. At Spruce Ridge Dental, these treatments include dental sealants and fluoride treatments.

Dental sealants are plastic coverings that are painted directly onto the chewing surface of the back molars, which are especially vulnerable to cavities owing to their uneven surface. A quick, painless treatment, dental sealants protect tooth enamel from the buildup of food particles, plaque, and acids that cause cavities. Dental sealants are completed in just about five minutes and can prevent decay for years after their application.

Your child’s pediatric dentist will evaluate the need for fluoride, the mineral that strengthens tooth enamel to protect against cavities. A quick application completed after the checkup and cleaning, fluoride is an important preventive step for young patients.

Orthodontic Considerations

Your pediatric dentist at Spruce Ridge Dental will also examine your child’s mouth to determine if orthodontic attention is needed in early childhood. Some orthodontic problems -- especially an underbite and a narrow upper arch -- are easiest to correct while the jaw is still forming, or around age seven. Wearing braces during childhood can make orthodontic treatment during adolescence quicker and easier.

Schedule Your Child’s Appointment Today!

Have you chosen a pediatric dentist to care for your child’s smile? Remember that children’s dentists are equipped with the experience and know-how to provide the best care for little teeth. Your pediatric dentist is at Spruce Ridge Dental! Schedule an appointment for your child today.